The tractor market is boiling under and above the surface, almost without us feeling it. Quietly, quietly (as long as they are not running), thousands of new tools are added every year to the local market, which has been steadily growing in the last five years. These are tools of all kinds, from sports, tours, work in various fields and sectors including agriculture, public sector, and even security forces, police, firefighters, army. Everyone finds extensive use of these tools that successfully combine the range of motorcycles with the practicality and comfort of off-road vehicles.
Into this market comes Ofer Avnir's company, the importer (among other things) of the CFMOTO brand, with two new models (actually one model in two versions) with a volume of 1,000 cubic centimeters, which provides an additional power boost to the best-selling brand in the field here.
What is CFMOTO?
"Let the Chinese giant sleep, for when he awakens, he will shake the world," said none other than Napoleon Bonaparte upon his return from his visit to China and foresaw the future, much more successfully than he foresaw the Russian winter.
China has become the production powerhouse of the world with cheap and endless labor force and also no small amount of audacity, as the whole world understands that if you can't beat them, you should join them, and if you can't fight their counterfeits, you should at least let them produce the original. And this may be the story of CFMOTO, a giant Chinese company quietly and persistently conquering more and more markets in the world in the field of vehicles, ATVs, and motorcycles, exploding model after model, all the clichés about the quality of Chinese manufacturing and industry. Not by chance, CFMOTO holds the first place in the ATV market volume in Europe (and in Israel) including giant countries like France, Germany, Spain, and more, and of course in China, Australia, and the rest of the Far East. The secret of the success of the Chinese company is very simple - quality.
CFMOTO understood that the Western world appreciates quality products, those that are well made, made of good materials and advanced technology, and so it bases its products on cooperation strategies with the best manufacturers in the world in the automotive and motorcycling sector such as KTM, Bosch, Brembo, and so on, and thus achieve a winning formula of Western quality at prices from the Far East. Just so we understand a little bit of the numbers story, CFMOTO's annual sales turnover is $1.2 billion, it employs 4,500 workers including 800 engineers, it has four research and development centers in the world in which it invests tens of millions of dollars each year in research and development of new technologies. The company holds no less than 979 (!) patents registered in its name and it manufactures almost all components and assemblies for its products including frames, engines, shock absorbers, etc., except for tires. CFMOTO may be the exception in the Chinese industry that does not necessarily reflect the rule, but if more and more Chinese manufacturers align with it, manufacturers in the rest of the world will face problems. For example, a company that understood this is the Austrian company KTM, which for over a decade has been cooperating with the Chinese company that has become the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of its motorcycles in China, Australia, New Zealand, and the surrounding areas.
Tractor Market
The general public is usually less enthusiastic about these off-road vehicles, mainly because of a bunch of irresponsible and indifferent users who do not respect the environment and those around them and give a bad name to the genre. But the tractor market is thriving and buzzing, simply because these are very very practical tools for both work and pleasure needs. Some would say that the tractor is a winning combination and an excellent compromise between a motorcycle and an off-road vehicle, with better safety than a motorcycle and much lower operating and maintenance costs than an off-road vehicle. Take for example the licensing fee that stands at less than NIS 500 compared to the thousands of shekels you will need to pay for the same fee for a car or motorcycle. The tractor, gaining more and more fans and users in a variety of fields and branches, it is no wonder that in the past five years, this branch has been steadily growing, not to mention flourishing.
Want numbers? In Israel, in 2021, 6,260 vehicles (tractors, agricultural machinery, side-by-sides, etc.) were sold compared to 2,742 such vehicles in 2017. It is true that the element of trade during the corona period helped a lot, but even before that, and as can be seen, even after the rush, the market continues to grow globally and locally. And above all stands out the CFMOTO company that dominates the local market, for example in the field of tractors with engine sizes of 401-1,000 cc, causing veteran brands like Can-Am and Polaris to look at sales data and be envious. CFMOTO tractors now control 24% of the local market share in the mentioned field, and into these are added two new models that provide a significant power boost, the CX1000 and the Overland 1000.
The CX1000 and the Overland 1000 - two that are one
The two new models, the CX1000 and the Overland 1000, are actually the same vehicle in two different equipment versions, and they join the CFMOTO-850 that continues to be manufactured and sold here in parallel.
This is a dual-seat, massive and aggressive UTV designed for work and trips across the wide range of uses of these settings, whether in various agricultural sectors, or in areas of firefighting, rescue and relief, patrolling, military base tours, solo or couple trips, and more.
The new UTV weighs approximately 450 kg, spread over a body with a length of 239 cm, width of 125 cm, and height of 142 cm, creating a cubic "goat" structure, though thanks to the treatment it underwent in the KISKA design workshop, it turns into an impressive, designed and impressive vehicle presence.
The vehicle is powered by a 963cc engine with two V-TWIN cylinders with four valves per cylinder. The engine produces 75 horsepower that is felt at every stage, from the first press on the accelerator handle to clear on open and fast trails or in technical sections where it is required. The power is transferred to the wheels through an improved CVT system from Canadian CV TECH. Four adjustable gas shock absorbers with compression and rebound adjustment option, and double A-arm aluminum arms. Movement is performed in a variety of options: 2X4 (rear-wheel drive), 4X4 with or without front differential, and power shift for extreme cases, where most of the time it is sufficient to move through all four wheels without locking or with rear-wheel drive only for those of you who like to lose grip in turns.
The technical specification of the two versions is identical, however the equipment list is different and according to the standard of Kinnat, Gagan Gichon, wide mudguards, tow bar, digital screen, USB sockets, 12 volt socket and more, are added in the premium version. A very easy-to-dismantle and assemble watertight toolbox with a volume of 146 liters (105+41), full Gichon shielding, a reflector (unnecessary), hand-locking clamps to prevent tire peeling, hand guards, a complex backrest, a front carrier, and more. A complete and impressive equipment package.
Stage of Evidence
Our first encounter with the tools took place in the Har Horsan and Nahal Dalia area. A beloved and well-known playground for every off-road enthusiast. An area with many technical challenges, rocky ascents and descents, fast trails, water crossings, forests, and in short, a perfect laboratory for initial experiments and acquaintances. Let's start with the bottom line, the tool required almost zero effort in every challenge it faced, except for one occasion when I switched to power mode just to say that I did it in an intimidating descent, not because it was actually necessary. Both steep ascents and descents, the tool performed effortlessly with a little gas and 4X4 locking. When driving at high speeds, rear-wheel drive only, a lot of enjoyment in the turns and tail whips are requested and we never really grow out of these shenanigans.
The tool also benefits from electric reinforcement of the suspension, which greatly facilitates manual work when dealing with technical obstacles and encountering boulders. The shock absorbers generally do a good job, absorbing most of the impact, the seat is wide, comfortable, supportive, and luxurious, and during the inspection stage we noted two comments, we would be happy to have more braking power, both from the shock absorbers and from the engine braking on steep descents. In both cases, the feeling is that there is room for improvement. The tool itself is well made and nothing rattles or squeaks even during fast driving on rough and bumpy roads. The front windscreen deflector in the premium model is unnecessary and the dashboard provides a clear and convenient display of the presented data.
Summary stage
The off-road vehicle division of Ofer Avnir Company receives a serious power addition in the form of two new versions. The quality is good, the level is high, and the price is excellent. For NIS 75,000, you will receive an excellent off-road vehicle that will perform well on almost all roads and challenges, and if you add another NIS 7,000, you will receive the same version with full and luxurious equipment including the option to carry a lot of equipment for any work required or for going on a trip and extended stay in the field. The CFMOTO is a beloved Chinese giant when it is dormant, but when it awakens, the ground trembles.